LAS VEGAS ? Freddie Roach was so impressed with Manny Pacquiao?s performance against David Diaz that he gave his favorite pupil an ?A-plus.?
?I?ve never given an A-plus before in my life but he fought a great fight. And tonight he did everything right,? said Roach who worked almost two months bringing Pacquiao to peak form.
?He used his jab, the hook, his uppercut, body shots. We had a great game plan that was followed to a T. He did his job. It was the best Manny Pacquiao. I think at 135 he looks great,? he added.
After weighing in at 134.5 lbs Friday, Pacquiao climbed the ring at 145 lbs, gaining no more than 10 pounds after a day of replenishing his body.
Roach said it?s what Pacquiao should do from now on.
?He came into the ring weighing only 145 pounds. He only gained 10 pounds (after the weigh-in,? said Roach, reminding scribes that when Pacquiao fought Juan Manuel Marquez last March he gained 16 lbs from the weigh-in to fight night.
?The last time he gained 16 pounds because he was starving himself. And that was a big mistake. If you gain too much weight you pull your ability down. Gaining only 10 pounds is appropriate,? he said.
As a result, Pacquiao was at his best ? both with his quickness and his power.
Diaz, according to Roach, actually didn?t know what to do, how to cope with Pacquiao?s ability to step to his side each time he threw a good punch.
?It?s something we worked on the gym ? throwing a punch then stepping to the side and then throw another combination. I was so proud of Manny?s right hand today.
?It was the hand that won us the fight tonight. Diaz was looking for the left hand but the right hand was there all night. It was the best I?ve ever seen Pacquiao box,? said Roach.
But can he say that the victory over Diaz was better than the one against Erik Morales in November of 2006, when the legendary Mexican was stopped inside three rounds?
?No. That was my favorite win,? he said.
